2012 Parents’ Weekend Snapshot
Introduction Parents’ Weekend is a tradition of the Florida State University that gives parents the opportunity to visit their student(s) while also gaining exposure to the Florida State University community and its many traditions. The 2012 Parents’ Weekend was held on October 12th and 13th. Events included a picnic, educational sessions, three Flying High Circus performances, the Fun Run 5K Run/Walk, and a tailgate brunch. Attendance Figures 2009
2010
2011
2012
1,388
1,221
1,230
912
Picnic at Union Green
4,074
3,219
3,290
3,235
Tailgate Brunch
2,530
1,755
1,899
1,502
5K Fun Run/Walk
669
665
625
614
Total Survey Respondents
516
598
540
96
Total # of families at PW # of Participants by Event
Online Assessment Highlights
Parents’ Weekend 2012 was the eighth year that PW has been formally assessed. Participants were directed to an online survey to provide feedback at the conclusion of the weekend’s festivities. They were informed via business cards, an ad in the program booklet, and follow up emails. A drawing took place and a random survey participant was awarded $100 in Flex Bucks. A total of 96 survey responses were recorded.
Demographics of survey respondents
85% were in-state parent/guardians 12% were out-of-state parent/guardians 63% had students who were freshman 6% had students who were sophomores 24% had students who were juniors 11% had students who were seniors
Registration comments from survey
69% of respondents pre-registered online 92% thought online/mailing registration was easy to understand 22% registered on-site 92% thought on-site registration was quick and organized 8% pre-registered via mail 96% of participants found PW staff to be friendly and helpful
Marketing Participants heard about PW through numerous sources. The three top responses included: 57% Orientation 52% Family Connection 77% of survey respondents were members of the Family Connection 41% Website
Program Attendance PW offered various programs participants could choose to participate in. The most popular among survey respondents included: Football Game—FSU vs. Boston College (86%) Circus Performance (61%) Picnic on Union Green (56%) Tailgate Brunch (27%) 5K Fun Run/Walk (27%)
Recommendations for next year: Suggestions taken from qualitative feedback via online survey: Catering Improve the quality of the food Provide more fresh food More options besides typical buffet food Postcards Have more printers available and photographers, waiting time was too long Offer it for a longer period of time, some parents could not attend because their child had class 5k Fun Run/ Walk Post the times of all the participants Have more water stations Perhaps give out small bottles of water so that there is no waiting time at the water stations Parking Many parents had trouble looking for parking spots Parents did not know where to park for the football game without the risk of getting towed Have a map of parking lots and garages Include addresses of parking lots and garages so that parents can input the address into their GPS Promotion Provide parents with information on Parents’ Weekend upon their child being accepted since families that attend summer orientation find out later than others and have trouble booking hotel rooms later on
Suggestions for 2013 survey:
What else do we need to find out from parents about their PW experience?